2. Allergic reaction
Symptoms
- Rash
- Itching
- Throat swelling with difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Wheezing
Allergic reactions may cause a swollen throat, itching, and irritation. You may also have hives or a rash, or swelling of your face and mouth. If your throat is swelling, you may be at risk of a severe reaction, called anaphylaxis, which can cause trouble breathing and swallowing.
An allergic reaction is triggered by exposure to an allergen. The most common triggers of anaphylaxis are foods, insect stings, and medications.
Angioedema is swelling of the tissues of the throat, face, and mouth. It can be related to an allergic reaction. Angioedema can cause you to have difficulty breathing and swallowing. If your throat is swelling from an allergic reaction, you should go to the ER, because it may worsen quickly.
If you are having trouble breathing or swallowing, also go to the ER. It means you are having an anaphylactic reaction.
Treating allergic reactions
For anaphylaxis, the most important treatment is epinephrine (EpiPen). If you have an EpiPen, you should use it and then still go to the ER for monitoring since your allergic symptoms can return after initially improving.
Treatment for allergic reactions may include medications that can decrease the severity of the immune system response including antihistamines (Benadryl or Zyrtec) and steroids.
If you have had a strong allergic reaction in the past, you need to avoid any known triggers and keep your EpiPen with you at all times. You should also see an allergist who can help you figure out your triggers to avoid future reactions.
3. Infection
Symptoms
- Fever
- Throat pain and tightness
- Pain and difficulty swallowing
Throat infections can lead to a sore throat, itching, and swelling. You may also have a fever, runny nose, and cough. You may notice white spots or swelling when you look at the back of your throat, and swollen glands in your throat.
The most common causes of throat infections are cold viruses. Other viral infections include herpes, Covid-19, and the virus that causes mononucleosis. Bacteria such as strep can also cause a throat infection.
Treating infections
For cold viruses and mononucleosis, you can take over-the-counter pain medications. Tea with honey and saltwater gargles can also relieve throat pain and irritation.
For strep throat, your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic. If you have a lot of swelling, your doctor may treat you with a one-time dose of steroids. Herpes is treated with an antiviral medication.
4. Goiter
Symptoms
- Throat tightness
- Hoarse voice
- Cough
A goiter is an enlargement of the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland makes hormones that help regulate growth and metabolism. A goiter can be caused by issues with your immune system, an infection of your thyroid, or tumors.
The size of the goiter usually increases gradually over time. Sometimes, the area of your thyroid may be tender or you may have pain with swallowing. You may also notice a cough or a choking sensation. As the thyroid grows, you may have changes in the amount of hormones the thyroid gland produces. It can lead to weight changes, a racing heart, and changes in skin and hair.
Treating goiter
Treatment may include taking iodine or medications that help normalize thyroid hormone production. If the goiter becomes very large, it may compress other structures, causing difficulty breathing and swallowing. In these cases, surgery may be necessary.
Other causes
There are other less typical causes of throat swelling and tightening.
- Pain that is referred from other body parts such as your heart
- A tumor
- Problems with the salivary glands
- Anxiety
- Food that gets stuck in your esophagus, causing a feeling of fullness in your throat, drooling, and difficulty swallowing.
So, you have a sore throat, cough, runny nose and congestion. Have you caught a common cold or do you have allergy symptoms? Sometimes, it is even difficult for doctors to distinguish between the two, because their symptoms can be so similar. If you have persistent throat discomfort accompanied by other allergy symptoms, consider that you may have a sore throat due to allergies.
Causes and concerns
One of hundreds of different kinds of cold-causing viruses can enter your body. As a defense mechanism, your immune system will attack these pathogens. The result of this response is classic cold symptoms, including sore throat, cough, fever and nasal congestion. Allergies occur when you have an overactive immune system. For unknown reasons, the body confuses harmless substances (allergens) like airborne dust and pollens for germs and attacks them.
When you have allergies, your body releases chemicals (called histamines) and they fight the allergen in the same manner as when you battle a cold bug. You can develop swollen nasal passages, runny nose, sneezing, cough and a sore throat. Unlike the common cold, allergies are not contagious.
Symptoms and signs
While there are some differences, cold and allergy symptoms can also overlap. For example, you will sometimes feel achy or feverish with a cold but never with allergies. You will often get a sore throat as the first symptom of a cold. However, you will rarely develop a sore throat as part of an allergic reaction. However, when it does occur it is called allergy sore throat, and it results when persistent drainage irritates the back of the oral cavity.
The main difference between a cold and allergies is that a cold normally last for two weeks at the most, while allergies will typically be more seasonal and chronic. If you have cold-like symptoms after 14 days, you should consult an allergy specialist. Your symptoms could be caused by allergies or they could be potential warning signs of a more serious problem such as asthma. Common symptoms and signs of allergies that accompany allergy sore throat include:
- Persistent sore throat
- Pain with swallowing
- Dry throat
- Sneezing and nasal congestion
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Coughing and wheezing
- Snoring
- Difficulty breathing
Solutions and options
Even though allergy and cold symptoms are very often similar, their causes are not. Therefore different tactics are needed to prevent colds and allergies. In order to avoid the nasty symptoms of a cold, try not to let any of the many common cold viruses enter your body. Stay as far away as you can from anyone who exhibits signs and symptoms of a cold. Wash your hands frequently. To prevent spreading your cold, always cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough. Also, use either a tissue or your sleeve instead of your hands.
In order to lessen the chances of developing allergic reactions, including an allergic sore throat or cough, avoid direct contact with your known allergens (like substances you know cause your adverse reactions). Common allergens include:
- Pollens
- Molds
- Animal dander
- Dust mites
- Second-hand smoke
- Pollution
- Cockroaches
Always talk to your doctor before taking any medications you can buy in a drugstore without a prescription. This is especially important if you take prescription medications to prevent possible drug interactions. While there is no known cure for either common colds or allergies, there are ways to ease your symptoms. To treat both cold and allergy symptoms, try some of these home remedies:
- Antihistamines: Block the effect of histamines
- Decongestants: Reduce mucus membrane swelling within the nasal passages
- Anti-inflammatories or pain relievers: Ease your aches, pains or fever
- Rest: Adequate sleep and rest from physical exertion
- Fluids: Drink lots of liquids like orange juice and water
- Salt water gargles and throat lozenges: Relieve your sore throat
While cold and allergy symptoms are rarely serious on their own, they can lead to other conditions like asthma, ear infections and sinus infections. If you think you have an allergy sore throat from persistent allergies, consult one of our caring allergy specialists. The doctor can help you find a solution to your symptoms.